The Nipponese Caste System (Social Structure of Nippon)
Nippon is theoretically ruled by a God Emperor who is the direct descendant of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, the Great Kami of the Sun, the Queen of Heaven. The Emperor, along with hereditary nobles, make up the Royal Court. In actual fact, though, the Emperor and the nobles have no real power. Their position is ritualistic and symbolic. Within the Imperial Court, the ranks are the Emperor, the Dajo-ko (retired Emperors) or Dajo-hoo (retired Emperors who have become Priests), then come the Kuge (the Imperial family and Court Nobles.
The real rulers of Nippon are the Buke, the Warrior Caste. These are the samurai castes led by their Daimyos and ruled by the Shogun. The Shogun has total power of Life and Death over all those who live within the islands of Nippon, and all territories conquered by Nippon.
The Shogunate comprises the Shogun, who is also sometimes called Kwampaku or Taiko; the Shogun's clan; Bugyo (Commisioners); Kairei (Deputies); and Metsuke (Censors).
The Buke:
The Daimyo have total power in their provinces, answering only to the Shogunate. There are three ranks of Daimyo. They are: Kokushu, with an income of 500,000+ koku per year; Ryoshu, with an income of 100,000+ koku per year; Joshu, with an income of 10,000+ koku per year.
The Samurai, according to their status within the hierarchy of each Daimyo, has total power over those under him. Anyone dealing with the Samurai is advised that they have the right of cut and walk, which means they can cut down anyone of lower station without fear of reprisal. In reality, though, there can be reprisals. If he strikes down another Samurai it can cause a clan war and end with many of the Samurai of both houses being killed. Samurai vendettas have been known to be carried on for centuries, being passed from generation to generation.
Hatamoto are clan elders, advisors and supervisors. The Hatamoto ranks
are: Kodai-yoriai, Samurai with an income of 1,000 koku per year;Yoriai,
Samurai with an income of 500 koku per year; Kofushin, Samurai with an
income of 100 koku per year.
Gokenin: Gokenin are managers and senior members of the clan, with an income
of 50 koku per year or more.
Samurai are retainers (members of the clan) who recieve a stippend and/or
fife.
Ji-zamurai: These are land holding Samurai with no retainer affiliation to one certain Daimyo. They are accorded all the rights of Samurai.
Ronin are Samurai by birth and station, but they have no holdings or affiliation with a clan or Daimyo. They are homeless and masterless. They fight as mercenaries and hope to gain a permanent affiliation with a Daimyo.
The Priesthood: Members of the Clergy, no matter what their birth caste.
The Heimin:
Peasants: Hyakusho. Farmers, Woodsmen and Fishermen.
Artisans: Shokunin. Craftsmen, porters and manufacturers.
Merchants: Akindo. Tradesmen, peddlers, large merchants, etc.
The Yakuza: Nippon Gangsters.
The Ninja:
Jonin: Clan Head, Elders and Advisors.
Chunin: Supervisors and managers.
Genin: Members and Senior Members
Unaffiliated Ninja: Regarded with deep suspicion by all, not considered
to be trustworthy.
Eta (the Untouchables):
Denzaemon: Local headman of Eta village.
Honin: Handlers of dead animals (butchers, tanners, leatherworkers, etc.).
Hinin: Handlers of dead humans (undertakers, etc.).
Religion
The religion of Nippon is Shinto, the Way of the Million Kami. They believe that all things have spirits and that there are gods for all aspects of life. There are Great Gods, the greatest of them is Amaterasu, the Great Kami of the Sun, Queen of Heaven.
The most popular God with the Buke is Hachiman, who is Amaterasu's son and the God of Warriors.
Inari is the Kami of Rice and Prosperity. Inari's messenger is the fox.
Uke-Mochi-No-Kami is the God of Wealth and Averice.
They also worship their ancestors and all homes will have a shrine to the honourable anscestor.
Bushido
Bushido is the Way of the Warrior, and dominates much of Nippon society. The most important caste is the Warrior Caste, the Buke. Bushido is not just training with weapons, it is a whole way of life. Where in the western parts of the Old World someone might say the pen is more powerful than the sword, in Nippon they say the pen and the sword brings power together.
The Buke or Samurai Warrior is required to be literate and proficient in the arts of war and the cultural arts. They are taught that there must be a balance of the arts to create the perfect man. The Samurai, because of their training, can analyze an enemy or tactical situation with the utmost speed. Their warfare methods are those of discipline, speed, and maneuverability. They are also trained to inprovise and to think during planning, but to use their natural abilities and instincts when the actual fighting starts, and they are also taught to follow the orders of their commanders and to maintain order in the ranks and to support each other at all times, as they are brothers in the Code of the Warrior, Bushido. This makes the Nippon army a formidable force to meet on the battlefield.
The Seven Principles of Bushido
1. Gi: the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. When we must die, we must die. Rectitude.
2. Yu: bravery tinged with heroism.
3. Jin: universal love, benevolence toward mankind; compassion.
4. Rei: right action--a most essential quality, courtesy.
5. Makoto: utter sincerity; truthfulness.
ó. Melyo: honor and glory.
7. Chugo: devotion, loyalty.
These are the seven principles underlying the spirit of Bushido, Bu--martial arts; shi--warrior; do--the way.
Giri
Giri refers to the web of obligations and duties owed by each person to those around him: parents, family and friends, as well as fuedal superiors and inferiors.
| If one were to say in a word what the condition of being a samurai
is, its basis lies first in seriously devoting one's body and soul to his
master. And if one is asked what to do beyond this, it would be to fit
oneself inwardly with intellegence, humanity and courage. The combining
of these three virtues may seem unobtainable to the ordinary person, but
it is easy. Intellegence is nothing more than discussing things with others.
Limitless wisdom comes from this. Humanity is something done for the sake
of others, simply comparing oneself with them and putting them in the fore.
Courage is gritting one's teeth; it is simply doing that and pushing ahead,
paying no attention to the circumstances. Anything that seems above these
three is not necessary to be known. As for outward aspects there are personal apprearance, one's way of speaking, and caligraphy. And as all of these are daily matters, they improve by constant practice. Basically, one should percieve their nature to be one of quiet strength. If one has accomplished all these things, then he should have a knowledge of our area's history and customs. After that he may study the various arts as recreation, If you think it over, being a retainer is simple. And these days, if you observe people who are even a bit useful, you will see that they have accomplished these three outward aspects. (Hagakure of Yamamoto Tsunetomo) |
Timeline of Nippon Using the Standard Imperial
Dating System
Where the Year 1 is the Crowning of Sigmar
| -600 | Emperor Jummu founds the Imperial Family. | 1158 | A mysterious fire consumes the Imperial Palace and kills the reigning Emperor, leaving his two-year old son as heir. Taira Kiyomori takes control of the young child and uses him to get himself elected Shogun. |
| -400 | The Empress Jingo leads an invasion of Cathay, delaying the birth of her son by placing a stone in her girdle until the victory is won. | 1459- 1460 |
The Hogen War: The Taira eliminate most of the Minamoto leaders. |
| -200 | The Great Temple of Amaterasu is built and the Palace Fortress of Yamato is completed. | 1611- 1612 |
The Taira expand their power by eliminating the Heiji clan, and Taira Kyomori, the second to hold this name, becomes Shogun. He still only rules the southern half of Honshu and parts of Shikoku. |
| -120 | Decadence and corruption amongst the Imperial House causes riots and revolt throughout the land. | 1843- 1849 |
A major seaborn invasion by Chaos forces descends upon the main island of Honshu. War rages across much of the main islands. When Chaos is finally driven into the sea, many provinces are devoid of population, and destruction is widespread. From this time forward, there are Chaos beasts and Orcoids in the high mountains of all the islands. |
| -80 | Shogun Nori Yoshitsuni unites all of the provinces under the first Shogunate. | 1954 | Yoshimochi becomes Shogun and starts the reunification of the islands, but it will take another two centuries to complete. |
| 50 | Barbarians and Beastmen from the North invade Nippon's territories in Cathay. The territories are overrun and lost to the Empire. | 2172 | Reunification of most of the islands is completed by the Taira clan under a strong Shogunate. |
| 226 | The last of the Ainu Barbarians are driven from the main islands, along with their foul beasts. They are driven onto the northernmost island and are contained there through the massive struggle of the Shogun Yorishuni. | 2315 | The Onnin War begins. The islands of Shikoku and Kyushu break off from the main island of Honshu and declare an independent state ruled by the Imperial house. |
| 412 | Shogun Shotoku sends an embasy to the main kingdom of Cathay, establishing trade and cultural exchange.. | 2405 | Taira Koryotu invades Shikoku and defeats the Imperial army and takes the Imperial Court back to Kyoto as virtual prisoners, reestablishing rule of the Shogunate over all islands. |
| 503 | Shogun Taika reforms the government, strengthening central rule by the Shogunate | 2478 | Tomoe Gozen is born, as is Minamoto Yoshitsune. |
| 703 | Revolt of Fujiwara Hirotsugu causes a great civil war and much death and destruction. The first incursion of Chaos forces. | 2496 | Minamoto Yoshitsune meets and defeats the Yama Bushi Benkei in the Gojo Bridge; the monk becomes a faithful follower of Yoshitsune. |
| 710 | Shogun Taiho drives the Chaos forces from the islands and establishes control over the provinces, restoring peace and prosperity to the islands. | 2500 | Minamoto Yoritomo revolts against Taira rule, and with his nephew Yoshitsune, meets and defeats the Taira army outside of Kyoto, and conquers the city. Minamoto Yoritomo is declared Shogun. |
| 842 | Capital is moved to Haian-kyo (Kyoto), as it was decided by the Priests that the old capital had bad karma. | 2501 | Minamoto Yoshitsune and Tomoe Gozen meet. Tomoe Gozen becomes Minamoto Yoshitsune's consort. The Shogunate capital is moved to Kamakura. |
| 939-940 | Taira Masakado revolts and leads expeditions against the Shogun at Kyoto, destroying half the city. He is finally defeated and put to death late in 940. | 2502 | The present: Musashi has fought his sixtieth duel. Musashi, Tomoe Gozen, Minamoto Yoshitsune and the Yama Bushi Benkei are renowned as the finest Swordmasters of Nippon. Each is given one of the seven Kami Daisho of Okunden. These great swords are said to contain the spirits of all the great Samurai who have ever carried them. |
This timeline is the timeline of the Nippon of the Warhammer World as recounted to the Old Sage of Nuln.
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